Kehlani says her public support for Palestine triggered a wave of highly organized death threats that became severe enough to force her to relocate for safety.
In an interview on Power 105.1 FM’s The Breakfast Club, the Oakland-born artist described receiving “typed-out, detailed” threats that targeted her at performances and spilled into her personal life. “It got into my safety, my family dynamics, my friendships,” she said, adding that the experience created “really bad paranoia” and left her questioning whether “everybody [was] out to get me.”
Kehlani, known for songs such as CRASH and the Grammy-nominated Folded, has been vocal in calling for a ceasefire, sharing safety tips for pro-Palestinian demonstrators, and releasing politically charged content, including her 2024 “Next 2 U” video featuring Palestinian flags and the phrase “long live the intifada.”
Her activism has drawn support from artists like rapper Vic Mensa, who praised her “humanity and courage” in a public letter in May 2025. But it has also generated strong backlash from pro-Israel groups and public officials who accuse her of antisemitism — claims she denies, arguing her criticism is directed at Israeli policy and Zionism, not Jewish people.
The controversy has led to professional repercussions. In April, Cornell University canceled Kehlani’s scheduled Slope Day performance, citing what it described as “antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments” following her public comments on Palestinian resistance. The decision came amid heightened federal pressure on universities to safeguard Jewish students.
In May, New York City’s SummerStage Pride concert in Central Park — where Kehlani was set to headline — was also canceled. City officials attributed the decision to security concerns, and Mayor Eric Adams reportedly advised organizers to proceed with caution. Congressman Ritchie Torres publicly applauded the cancellation, accusing Kehlani of antisemitism without providing evidence beyond her anti-Zionist views.